Tzatziki is a Greek dip made with creamy yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. It's the perfect sauce to pair with any Mediterranean meal, and it works great as a dip for pita bread and veggies. With its refreshing flavor, tzatziki is a must-try, addicting recipe!
Bring the flavors of your favorite Greek restaurant home with this easy tzatziki sauce (AKA Greek cucumber yogurt sauce!)
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🥒 What is Tzatziki?
Tzatziki is a traditional Greek dip made with a base of creamy yogurt, mixed with grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh herbs such as dill or mint. The yogurt provides a tangy, creamy texture, while the cucumber adds a crisp freshness and the garlic and herbs bring a burst of flavor to the dip.
Tzatziki is incredibly versatile as it can be served as a dip with pita bread or crackers, used as a sauce for grilled meats, or spread on sandwiches and gyros. Its light and refreshing taste make it a popular choice in Mediterranean cuisine.
While it's commonly known as a Greek dish, you'll find variations of tzatziki in Southeast Europe and The Middle East.
Tzatziki is super easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients that you might have on hand already!
🥘 Ingredients
- English cucumber
- Greek yogurt
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Dill
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
🔪 Instructions
- Place grated cucumber in a fine mesh strainer, pressing down on it to remove moisture.
2. Add the tzatziki ingredients to a bowl and stir to blend.
3. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to infuse into the yogurt.
4. Serve with your favorite Mediterranean foods!
🍴 Storage
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
🌟 Top Tips
- Make sure to press or squeeze as much moisture out of the grated cucumber as possible. This will guarantee you don't have watery tzatziki sauce.
- For the best flavor, allow the tzatziki to rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight.
🥙 Serving Suggestions
Tzatziki is a versatile sauce/dip that pairs perfectly with a variety of different foods. A few ideas include:
- Drizzle it on gyros
- Use it as a veggie dip (carrots, cucumbers, etc.)
- Serve it with souvlaki (Greek skewers)
- Enjoy it with pita chips or warm pita bread
- Use it as a sandwich spread
- Drizzle it over grilled chicken, roasted lamb, meatballs or pork
💭 FAQs
Tzatziki and hummus are actually both healthy dips that offer different nutritional benefits. Tzatziki is lower in calories and fat and it is also high in protein and calcium, but hummus is a good source of fiber and healthy fats. Both dips are a great addition to a balanced diet!
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📋 Recipe
Greek Tzatziki
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast
Marinade
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- juice from 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Greek seasoning
Toppings
- Pita bread
- Tomatoes diced
- Cucumber diced
- Romaine lettuce shredded
- Feta cheese
- Red onions sliced
- Tzatziki sauce
- **See the blog post for more topping ideas
Instructions
- 1. Place the chicken and the marinade ingredients in a gallon freezer bag or large airtight container. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours.
- 2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the skillet with olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- 3. Place the chicken breasts on the hot skillet. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through (meat thermometer should read 165 F.)
- 5. Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a cutting board. Let rest for at least 5 minutes. Cut the chicken into long strips.
- 7. Assemble the gyros by placing all of the desired toppings on a piece of warm pita bread. Fold the pita in half, or wrap it in aluminum foil, and serve.
Notes
- This step is optional, but it helps to take the sharp bite out of raw red onions. After slicing the onions, soak them in a bowl of ice water for at least 15 minutes and then serve.
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